Contents

History

Origins

Though the draenei were thought by many to have been completely wiped out by the orcs' genocide, Illidan and his forces discovered a surviving village in Outland during their flight from Azeroth. Their inhabitants, ruled by Akama, swore allegiance to Illidan in return for his liberating them from orcish and demonic oppression.[citation needed] Having been corrupted by demonic influences, they lost some of their former draenei abilities, and their already Broken forms were further altered, causing them to become the sub-species known as the Broken draenei.

Broken draenei are often rejected from Draenei society due to their deformities, and inability to use the light, leading them to eking out miserable existences in Outland's wastes. It is not uncommon for Broken living in Shattrah to throw themselves off elevators, committing suicide as the draenei guards simply watch.[10]

It is unknown how many Broken draenei are in Outland, though there are several groups not serving Akama. Nobundo is a notable Broken draenei shaman, though he is not a follower of Akama. A number of Broken draenei serve as laborers in a crystal mine beneath the Exodar, and appear to be loyal to Velen. It was speculated that this was evidence of prejudice on the part of the uncorrupted draenei, but this could be a case of physical tolerance.

While they are referred to as "Broken", even by themselves, many, including Akama himself, still consider themselves draenei. Some are trying to find a cure to return them to their original forms.

Even further below on the social scales are Draenei Lost Ones, who even many broken shun.

In Warcraft III, Akama's tribe possessed the Lost Ones physical appearance. As Lost Ones, they were renowned for being unbeatable spies and assassins, as their warriors can [Shadowmeld] regardless of the time of day and even while moving. This was before the retcon to the draenei/eredar history and the introduction of the Broken. Akama's new appearance is primarily that of a Broken draenei, although he possesses the characteristic mouth of the Lost Ones.

Nobundo, a Broken draenei shaman

In recent years, Velen, the noble leader of the draenei, was granted a vision...in it he saw the Broken; formerly healthy draenei who had devolved during the orcs' murderous crusade to wipe out the draenei race. According to Velen's vision, the Broken would rise to power once again and aid their displaced brethren.

Velen's vision was given substance in the form of Nobundo, a one-time draenei Vindicator who had devolved while the orcs decimated his race and tore the planet apart. Like his fellow Broken, Nobundo had lost contact with the Light, and so he ventured far into the deserts of Outland to meditate and pray for guidance.

After decades of silence, an unfamiliar voice finally answered his prayers. It was not the Light that whispered to him, but the wind. The breeze spoke to him of lost truths, of the might of the elements – of the delicate balance of power embraced by the shaman.

Nobundo listened eagerly and learned all he could. When he judged the time was right, he departed the desert determined to use this knowledge to help the draenei race. However, most draenei refugees greeted the sight of a Broken with skepticism and outright prejudice. Only one of the healthy draenei did not shun the Broken: the wise and perceptive Velen.

Velen had heard the philosophy of the shaman before, but Nobundo revealed new truths. The elements were timeless; they stretched across the cosmos to inhabit every world they touched. With the proper training, the draenei might learn to wield this overlooked, seemingly inexhaustible source of power. Velen rejoiced to realize that his vision was coming to pass. Accordingly he took Nobundo with him when he and his fellow refugees took possession of the naaru satellite structure Exodar from the blood elves. Thus it was that Nobundo journeyed with the draenei to the world of Azeroth.

Nobundo found that unlike the desolate wastes of Outland, Azeroth possessed abundant elemental energies. He shared his knowledge of shamanism with the draenei on Azeroth, and all who adopted its path flourished.

The time for the draenei shaman to test themselves draws near, for the battle against the Burning Legion is once again at hand. And the fate not only of Azeroth, but of all worlds, hangs in the balance.

Tribes

Kurenai: This group of Broken, whose name means "redeemed", have attempted to re-establish contact with their "pure" cousins from the Exodar. They are enemies of the Horde, much like the majority of their race. Their home ground is the city of Telaar in Nagrand; their other major outpost is the Orebor Harborage in Zangarmarsh. Led by Arechron.

Murkblood tribe: The Murkblood tribe is a tribe of hostile Broken located in the Underbog of Coilfang Reservoir, as well as Nagrand. They are enemies of both the Kurenai and the Mag'har. They are lead by the hunter Swamplord Musel'ek. Some of the tribe has also been enslaved by the Dragonmaw clan and are kept working in the Netherwing mines. Theses Murkblood have secretly allied with Netherwing in an attempt to drive away the Dragonmaw.

Ashtongue tribe: The Ashtongue is the faction of Broken in the service of Illidan Stormrage. They are the most evil tribe of Broken and their leader, Akama, is considered to be the most evil traitor against the draenei people. These Broken were handpicked by Akama himself to maintain his evil facade with Illidan Stormrage.

Ashtongue Deathsworn: The Ashtongue Deathsworn are Akama's personal guard, they are a subdivision of the tribe that know Akama's true intention. They are seeking adventurers to aid their master for the final battle against Illidan.

Racial hatred?

Despite the (in most cases) accidental regression into Broken draenei, many draenei not only distrust them but despise them.[11] Although understandable of those Broken draenei who remain corrupted or in service to the Legion, one would think that the draenei would be willing to welcome any of their people that survived the orcs' genocide. Talking with Nobundo, however, reveals a possible reason for this distrust and hatred. Broken draenei are unable to draw upon the Light's powers, being infused with fel energies. The draenei, being deeply religious, could view this in very negative context.

Some draenei such as Velen, work to reintegrate Broken into Draenei society. The fact there are so many Broken draenei working in and on the Exodar is a testament to Velen's unending compassion for his people. Yet sometimes even in societies such as Shattrah, the social rejection from other Draenei can turn Broken suicidal, while uncorrupted Draenei guards watch, presumably viewing an ended life as better then a Broken life.

Still despite this rejection, Broken are in general accepted more then Lost one Draenei.

Female Broken draenei

Though female Broken draenei are confirmed in lore,[6][9][12]World of Warcraft does not currently have any female Broken draenei model in-game. However, an unfinished model of a female Broken draenei (half of a female tauren without a head) has been found within the game files. It is un-textured as of patch 3.1. It's possible that the female draenei of the Kurenai are meant to be Broken, but use the draenei model for lack of the alternative (similar to the female taunka who use a standard tauren model).

In Shadow Wing, a female Broken is visible in the crowd. She simply looks like a female draenei with Broken facial features.

Trivia

Broken use the same skeleton and animations as male tauren. They also use the same /laugh sound.

The Krokul of Argus use a modified version of the standard draenei model, with three fingers and a Broken face and back-tentacles.

The Broken have many similarities to the arakkoa affected by the Curse of Sethe. Both have weakened, mutated bodies and are cut off from light magic. This is because the red mist that changed the Broken was a modified form of red pox,[13] which itself was inspired by the Curse of Sethe.[14]

Speculation

This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

Their audio dialogue in The Burning Crusade seems to suggest that the Broken (as well as some Lost Ones, who use the same voices) are slowly losing their memory, even their sanity. They speak in a slow, clumsy manner with irregular pauses. However, they appear to be struggling against this change.

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